"Now, if such a complex being were in nature, how would that spiritual Soul act in that Body, that in its first Union with it (excepting some universal Principles) is a rasa Tabula, as a white Paper, without the Notices of Things written in it?"
— Fénelon, François de Salignac de la Mothe (1651-1715); Anonymous
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for L. Gilliver and F. Cogan
Date
1730
Metaphor
"Now, if such a complex being were in nature, how would that spiritual Soul act in that Body, that in its first Union with it (excepting some universal Principles) is a rasa Tabula, as a white Paper, without the Notices of Things written in it?"
Metaphor in Context
The Sympathy of Things, is no convincing Argument that they are of the same nature. There may be so strict an Union of Beings of different Natures, that they must necessarily be subject to Impressions from one another. Can any Reasons demonstrate, that a spiritual Substance, endowed with the Power of Understanding and Will, cannot be united in a vital Composicion to a Body, as the vegetive Soul is in Plants, and the sensitive in Beasts? There is no implicit Repugnance in this, that proves it impossible. Now, if such a complex being were in nature, how would that spiritual Soul [end page 27] act in that Body, that in its first Union with it (excepting some universal Principles) is a rasa Tabula, as a white Paper, without the Notices of Things written in it? Certainly, in no other imaginable Manner, that as Man's Soul does now. Indeed, if Man, as compounded of Soul and Body, were a sensitive Animal, and only rational, as partaking of the universal Intellect lent to Individuals for a Time, and retiring at Death to its first Being, as Avarroes fancied, there would be no Cause of such a Sympathy: But the Soul as Intellectual, is an informing, not assisting Form. And it is a strong Proof of the Wisdom and Goodness of the Creator, by this strict and sensible Union, to make the Soul vigilant and active, to provide for the Convenience and Comfort of the Body in the present State; and that notwithstanding such a Discord in Nature, there should be such a Concord in Inclinations.
(pp. 27-8)
(pp. 27-8)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "tabula rasa" in ECCO
Citation
Fénelon, François de Salignac de La Mothe. An essay, founded upon arguments natural and moral, proving the immortality of the soul. Translated from the original manuscript of the Archbishop of Cambray. London, 1730. Based on information from English Short Title Catalogue. Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale Group.
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Theme
Blank Slate
Date of Entry
10/09/2006
